Tamale Central MP warns Supreme Court ruling could drive up cost of political campaigns
A Supreme Court decision requiring political parties to allow all registered members to vote in internal elections could have unintended consequences for Ghana’s democracy, including higher campaign spending and increased pressure on candidates to raise funds, Tamale Central MP Prof. Alidu Mahama Seidu has cautioned.
The lawmaker said the shift from the delegate system to a broader “one member, one vote” model may deepen participation within political parties but could also make political contests far more expensive to run.
According to him, aspirants who previously focused their campaigns on a limited number of delegates would now have to reach significantly larger voter bases, increasing the resources needed for mobilisation, outreach and campaign activities.
Prof. Seidu warned that such a development could make internal party contests financially demanding and potentially push politicians to seek additional sources of funding to remain competitive.
He argued that the growing cost of politics remains a challenge for democratic systems and cautioned that any reform that expands the scale of campaigning must also consider its financial implications.
His comments come after the Supreme Court, in a majority decision, declared the delegate system used by political parties unconstitutional and directed that all members in good standing should be allowed to participate in the selection of party leaders and parliamentary candidates.
The ruling followed a constitutional challenge brought by former minister Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, veteran politician Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe and former minister Dr. Christine Amoako-Nuamah, who argued that limiting voting rights to selected delegates was inconsistent with democratic principles guaranteed by the Constitution.
The Attorney-General’s Department supported the challenge, maintaining that political parties should operate in a manner that reflects constitutional values of equality and broad participation.
While acknowledging the democratic benefits of expanding voting rights within political parties, Prof. Seidu said policymakers and political organisations must also examine the practical effects of implementing the ruling.
He suggested that without adequate safeguards, the new system could increase the monetisation of internal elections and create barriers for candidates who lack substantial financial resources.
The judgment is expected to trigger significant changes in how political parties organise presidential, parliamentary and executive primaries ahead of future elections.
Source: myjoyonline.com
About The Author
